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Theory of Architecture I
Architekturtheorie I
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:36:02
Abstract
The lecture course offers an introduction to key themes and questions of modern architectural theory over two semesters. Part one addresses formative "figures of thought" and their materialization in built and spatial structures. Part two critically examines different forms of architectural practice through the work of exemplary protagonists.
Objective
Understanding of the historic development of architectural theory during modernity and critical discussion of its key terms and concepts from a transdisciplinary perspective.
Content
The first part of the lecture course focuses on important themes and discourses of modern architecture, as well as its central terms and ideas. Providing a key to their understanding will be the concept of "figures of thought", which encompasses basic premises concerning the essence of things. Figures of thought are more than simply visual or linguistic metaphors; thus, they not only shape the production of the built environment, but also influence its perception and interpretation. At the same time, they operate across different cultural practices, opening architecture to related fields of knowledge, and, by doing so, allowing for its cross-disciplinary analysis; e.g., from the perspective of cultural studies or social sciences.
Resources
Lecture Notes
Handouts summarizing the content of weekly lectures will be available for download from the website of the Visiting Lectureship for the Theory of Architecture.
Literature
All required readings for the lectures will be available for download from the website of the Visiting Lectureship for the Theory of Architecture. In addition to those key readings, the following monographs and anthologies are useful complementary sources for the lecture course: - Adrian Forty, Words and Buildings: A Vocabulary of Modern Architecture, London: Thames & Hudson, 2000. - Susanne Hauser, Christa Kamleithner, Roland Meyer, eds., Architekturwissen. Grundlagentexte aus den Kulturwissenschaften, Bielefeld: Transcript, 2013, 2 Vols. - K. Michael Hays, ed., Architecture Theory since 1968, Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press, 1998. - Harry Francis Mallgrave, ed., Architectural Theory, Oxford: Blackwell, 2006–2008, 2 Vols. - Ákos Moravánszky, ed., Architekturtheorie im 20. Jahrhundert. Eine kritische Anthologie, Wien, New York: Springer, 2003. - Joan Ockman, Architecture Culture, 1943–1968: A Documentary Anthology, New York: Rizzoli, 1993.
Learning Materials (Links)
- Main link
- Information
General Information
- Language
- German
- Levels
- BSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- session examination
- Mode
- written 45 minutes
- Aids
- Wörterbuch
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture |
Architekturtheorie I
Keine Lehrveranstaltung am 22.10. (Seminarwoche) sowie am 10. und 17.12. (vor Schlussabgaben).
Die genauen Unterrichtszeiten von ONLINE - Veranstaltungen werden von den Dozierenden kommuniziert.
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2 h weekly |